If you're thinking about becoming a mom, now is the time to think about getting in shape

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- If you're planning to have a baby in the next year or two, Doctor Christie Beck says it's time for you and your husband to sit down with your doctor for a chat.

After the decision to start trying to conceive is made, your doctor will do a thorough exam. Doctor Beck says after physical exams, your Doctor will ask you about your medical history.

"The first one is to identify the risk factors that you have, and the second thing would be to educate you on things you can do to potentially modify those risk factors and then to put a plan into place to actually execute that change."

Allbeit, diet, medication, lifestyle changes so, it's just a very broad topic but it can be tailored to your healthcare issues and your goals."

Make sure your doctor knows which over the counter products you're taking.

Some of them can be just as harmful as prescription meds. But one over the counter supplement she suggests taking now - folic acid.

"You want to take at least 400-micro grams of folic acid a day and you want to have that in your system at least three months before you get pregnant. So I encourage all my patients, even if you're not actively trying to get pregnant, and especially if you're avoiding pregnancy, to go ahead and take that folic acid."